More details about what will happen to the former Blue Orchid nightclub when the former Nestle building is redeveloped into hundreds of flats have been revealed.

The former site of the Blue Orchid nightclub could be partly demolished as part of a multi-million pound scheme, with homes and a shop being built in its place.

A planning application seeking permission for change of use of the nightclub was submitted by GL Hearn on behalf of R&F Properties on March 3 as part of their £500million plans to redevelop St George’s Walk into a huge public square outside Croydon Town Hall, which includes building hundreds of flats, constructing new shops and refurbishing the Nestlé building into three tower blocks with hundreds of flats.

The application states that part of the former Blue Orchid building, which has been vacant for more than 10 years, will be transformed into two flats and a retail unit.

To provide this, there are plans to demolish the existing podium of the building, which links with that of St George’s House - more widely known as the Nestle building - on Park Lane, which already has consent to be demolishished.

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One of the reasons the applications has been made is because the site “does not contribute either visually or commercially to the borough and the local area”.

The planning statement within the application says: “This application proposes the change of use of the former nightclub, which has been vacant for in excess of 10 years, to a commercial retail unit on the ground floor and 2 one-bedroom flats, together with a residential communal amenity area on the first floor.

“The application has been the subject of pre-application discussions with the council, with the principle of the proposals, to bring the former Blue Orchid site within the appearance and similar use to the larger conversion project of St George’s House, fully supported.

Aerial view of the site from the roof of Taberner House (Image: David Cook)

“The intention of the proposal is to seek to amalgamate the two sites of St George’s House and the Blue Orchid nightclub to create the appearance of a single building.”

Guangzhou-based property developer R&F Properties purchased the freehold of the 5.5 acre site in Croydon town centre from previous owner Minerva in March last year.

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The site includes St George’s Walk, the offices above it, and St George’s House, as well as Segas House and Ellis House

Prospective plans to redevelop the western end of St George’s Walk into a pedestrianised civic square on Katharine Street, with new tower blocks and flats on the arcade itself, were unveiled before Croydon Council’s planning committee in March 2016.

But at that stage there was uncertainty around the plan since Minvera had not fully acquired the freehold on the eastern end of the site and St George’s House. The sites have since been consolidated and the planned development named Queen's Square.

An artist impression of how the civic square could look if the development happens

Planning permission has already been granted for the conversion of St George’s House into residential flats, with original designs including plans to build two new towers, of 25 and 35 storeys, with more than 820 flats among new routes lined with shops linking George Street, High Street and Katharine Street, as well as the public square on a pedestrianised Katharine Street.

While it is not yet clear when work on the project will begin, the application to partly demolish the former site of Blue Orchid is a clear sign that it could be sooner rather than later.

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If the application to build on the site are approved, the proposed works are limited to the basement, ground and first floor areas of the building and within the demise of St George’s House only.

The planning statement added that no more than two residential units can be built on the site due to a lack of space.

It said: “It is considered that the application property is simply not suited to providing any greater number of residential units and only 2 one-bedroom units can be accommodated.

“This is due to the fact that due to surrounding buildings; there can be no windows on the west elevation of the ground and first floors.

“The area is therefore only suitable to be used as part of the residential communal amenity area within St George’s House. This space will be for residents of this development will not be for commercial use.”

To view or comment on the application click here and enter reference number 18/01092/FUL.